Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026
This bill provides FY2026 appropriations to several federal departments and agencies for activities and programs related to military construction, veterans, agriculture, and the legislative branch.
Specifically, the bill includes 3 of the 12 regular FY2026 appropriations bills:
The departments, agencies, and activities funded in the bill include
(Pursuant to the longstanding practice of each chamber of Congress determining its own requirements, funds for the House of Representatives are not included in the Senate bill.)
The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3944 Reported in House (RH)]
<DOC>
Union Calendar No. 128
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3944
[Report No. 119-161]
Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of
Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 12, 2025
Mr. Carter of Texas, from the Committee on Appropriations, reported the
following bill; which was committed to the Committee of the Whole House
on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of
Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, That the following sums
are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise
appropriated, for military construction, the Department of Veterans
Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30,
2026, and for other purposes, namely:
TITLE I
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Military Construction, Army
For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of
temporary or permanent public works, military installations,
facilities, and real property for the Army as currently authorized by
law, including personnel in the Army Corps of Engineers and other
personal services necessary for the purposes of this appropriation, and
for construction and operation of facilities in support of the
functions of the Commander in Chief, $2,103,657,000, to remain
available until September 30, 2030: Provided, That, of this amount,
not to exceed $321,838,000 shall be available for study, planning,
design, architect and engineer services, and host nation support, as
authorized by law, unless the Secretary of the Army determines that
additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the
determination and the reasons therefor: Provided further, That of the
amount made available under this heading, $77,300,000 shall be for the
projects and activities, and in the amounts, specified in the table
under the heading ``Military Construction, Army'' in the report
accompanying this Act, in addition to amounts otherwise available for
such purposes.
Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps
For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of
temporary or permanent public works, naval installations, facilities,
and real property for the Navy and Marine Corps as currently authorized
by law, including personnel in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command
and other personal services necessary for the purposes of this
appropriation, $4,104,499,000, to remain available until September 30,
2030: Provided, That, of this amount, not to exceed $526,821,000 shall
be available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer
services, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of the Navy
determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes
and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor: Provided
further, That of the amount made available under this heading,
$155,100,000 shall be for the projects and activities, and in the
amounts, specified in the table under the heading ``Military
Construction, Navy and Marine Corps'' in the report accompanying this
Act, in addition to amounts otherwise available for such purposes.
Military Construction, Air Force
For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of
temporary or permanent public works, military installations,
facilities, and real property for the Air Force as currently authorized
by law, $3,169,526,000, to remain available until September 30, 2030:
Provided, That, of this amount, not to exceed $460,886,000 shall be
available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer
services, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of the Air Force
determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes
and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor: Provided
further, That of the amount made available under this heading,
$32,400,000 shall be for the projects and activities, and in the
amounts, specified in the table under the heading ``Military
Construction, Air Force'' in the report accompanying this Act, in
addition to amounts otherwise available for such purposes.
Military Construction, Defense-Wide
(including transfer of funds)
For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of
temporary or permanent public works, installations, facilities, and
real property for activities and agencies of the Department of Defense
(other than the military departments), as currently authorized by law,
$3,963,383,000, to remain available until September 30, 2030:
Provided, That such amounts of this appropriation as may be determined
by the Secretary of Defense may be transferred to such appropriations
of the Department of Defense available for military construction or
family housing as the Secretary may designate, to be merged with and to
be available for the same purposes, and for the same time period, as
the appropriation or fund to which transferred: Provided further,
That, of the amount, not to exceed $822,998,000 shall be available for
study, planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as
authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Defense determines that
additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the
determination and the reasons therefor: Provided further, That of the
amount made available under this heading, $82,000,000 shall be for the
projects and activities, and in the amounts, specified in the table
under the heading ``Military Construction, Defense-Wide'' in the report
accompanying this Act, in addition to amounts otherwise available for
such purposes.
Military Construction, Army National Guard
For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and
conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the
Army National Guard, and contributions therefor, as authorized by
chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction
Authorization Acts, $358,489,000, to remain available until September
30, 2030: Provided, That, of the amount, not to exceed $47,439,000
shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect and
engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the Director of the
Army National Guard determines that additional obligations are
necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the determination and the
reasons therefor.
Military Construction, Air National Guard
For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and
conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the Air
National Guard, and contributions therefor, as authorized by chapter
1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction
Authorization Acts, $210,492,000, to remain available until September
30, 2030: Provided, That, of the amount, not to exceed $36,092,000
shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect and
engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the Director of the Air
National Guard determines that additional obligations are necessary for
such purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor.
Military Construction, Army Reserve
For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and
conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the
Army Reserve as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United States
Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $305,032,000, to
remain available until September 30, 2030: Provided, That, of the
amount, not to exceed $31,508,000 shall be available for study,
planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as authorized by
law, unless the Chief of the Army Reserve determines that additional
obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees
on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the determination and
the reasons therefor: Provided further, That of the amount made
available under this heading, $50,000,000 shall be for the projects and
activities, and in the amounts, specified in the table under the
heading ``Military Construction, Army Reserve'' in the report
accompanying this Act, in addition to amounts otherwise available for
such purposes.
Military Construction, Navy Reserve
For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and
conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the
reserve components of the Navy and Marine Corps as authorized by
chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction
Authorization Acts, $79,829,000, to remain available until September
30, 2030: Provided, That, of the amount, not to exceed $3,219,000
shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect and
engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of the
Navy determines that additional obligations are necessary for such
purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses
of Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor: Provided
further, That, of the amount made available under this heading,
$50,000,000 shall be for the projects and activities, and in the
amounts, specified in the table under the heading ``Military
Construction, Navy Reserve'' in the report accompanying this Act, in
addition to amounts otherwise available for such purposes.
Military Construction, Air Force Reserve
For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and
conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the Air
Force Reserve as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United States
Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $37,863,000, to
remain available until September 30, 2030: Provided, That, of the
amount, not to exceed $20,162,000 shall be available for study,
planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as authorized by
law, unless the Chief of the Air Force Reserve determines that
additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the
determination and the reasons therefor: Provided further, That of the
amount made available under this heading, $3,200,000 shall be for the
projects and activities, and in the amounts, specified in the table
under the heading ``Military Construction, Air Force Reserve'' in the
report accompanying this Act, in addition to amounts otherwise made
available for such purposes.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Security Investment Program
For the United States share of the cost of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization Security Investment Program for the acquisition and
construction of military facilities and installations (including
international military headquarters) and for related expenses for the
collective defense of the North Atlantic Treaty Area as authorized by
section 2806 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction
Authorization Acts, $293,434,000, to remain available until expended.
Department of Defense Base Closure Account
For deposit into the Department of Defense Base Closure Account,
established by section 2906(a) of the Defense Base Closure and
Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note), $489,174,000, to remain
available until expended.
Family Housing Construction, Army
For expenses of family housing for the Army for construction,
including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, and
alteration, as authorized by law, $276,647,000, to remain available
until September 30, 2030.
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army
For expenses of family housing for the Army for operation and
maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, minor construction,
principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums, as authorized
by law, $495,369,000.
Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps
For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Marine Corps for
construction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion,
extension, and alteration, as authorized by law, $245,742,000, to
remain available until September 30, 2030.
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps
For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Marine Corps for
operation and maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, minor
construction, principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums,
as authorized by law, $397,217,000.
Family Housing Construction, Air Force
For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for construction,
including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, and
alteration, as authorized by law, $221,549,000, to remain available
until September 30, 2030.
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force
For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for operation and
maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, minor construction,
principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums, as authorized
by law, $346,250,000.
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide
For expenses of family housing for the activities and agencies of
the Department of Defense (other than the military departments) for
operation and maintenance, leasing, and minor construction, as
authorized by law, $52,156,000.
Department of Defense
Family Housing Improvement Fund
For the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund,
$8,195,000, to remain available until expended, for family housing
initiatives undertaken pursuant to section 2883 of title 10, United
States Code, providing alternative means of acquiring and improving
military family housing and supporting facilities.
Department of Defense
Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund
For the Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied Housing
Improvement Fund, $497,000, to remain available until expended, for
unaccompanied housing initiatives undertaken pursuant to section 2883
of title 10, United States Code, providing alternative means of
acquiring and improving military unaccompanied housing and supporting
facilities.
Administrative Provisions
Sec. 101. None of the funds made available in this title shall be
expended for payments under a cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contract for
construction, where cost estimates exceed $25,000, to be performed
within the United States, except Alaska, without the specific approval
in writing of the Secretary of Defense setting forth the reasons
therefor.
Sec. 102. Funds made available in this title for construction
shall be available for hire of passenger motor vehicles.
Sec. 103. Funds made available in this title for construction may
be used for advances to the Federal Highway Administration, Department
of Transportation, for the construction of access roads as authorized
by section 210 of title 23, United States Code, when projects
authorized therein are certified as important to the national defense
by the Secretary of Defense.
Sec. 104. None of the funds made available in this title may be
used to begin construction of new bases in the United States for which
specific appropriations have not been made.
Sec. 105. None of the funds made available in this title shall be
used for purchase of land or land easements in excess of 100 percent of
the value as determined by the Army Corps of Engineers or the Naval
Facilities Engineering Command, except: (1) where there is a
determination of value by a Federal court; (2) purchases negotiated by
the Attorney General or the designee of the Attorney General; (3) where
the estimated value is less than $25,000; or (4) as otherwise
determined by the Secretary of Defense to be in the public interest.
Sec. 106. None of the funds made available in this title shall be
used to: (1) acquire land; (2) provide for site preparation; or (3)
install utilities for any family housing, except housing for which
funds have been made available in annual Acts making appropriations for
military construction.
Sec. 107. None of the funds made available in this title for minor
construction may be used to transfer or relocate any activity from one
base or installation to another, without prior notification to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
Sec. 108. None of the funds made available in this title may be
used for the procurement of steel for any construction project or
activity for which American steel producers, fabricators, and
manufacturers have been denied the opportunity to compete for such
steel procurement.
Sec. 109. None of the funds available to the Department of Defense
for military construction or family housing during the current fiscal
year may be used to pay real property taxes in any foreign nation.
Sec. 110. None of the funds made available in this title may be
used to initiate a new installation overseas without prior notification
to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
Sec. 111. None of the funds made available in this title may be
obligated for architect and engineer contracts estimated by the
Government to exceed $500,000 for projects to be accomplished in Japan,
in any North Atlantic Treaty Organization member country, or in
countries bordering the Arabian Gulf, unless such contracts are awarded
to United States firms or United States firms in joint venture with
host nation firms.
Sec. 112. None of the funds made available in this title for
military construction in the United States territories and possessions
in the Pacific and on Kwajalein Atoll, or in countries bordering the
Arabian Gulf, may be used to award any contract estimated by the
Government to exceed $1,000,000 to a foreign contractor: Provided,
That this section shall not be applicable to contract awards for which
the lowest responsive and responsible bid of a United States contractor
exceeds the lowest responsive and responsible bid of a foreign
contractor by greater than 20 percent: Provided further, That this
section shall not apply to contract awards for military construction on
Kwajalein Atoll for which the lowest responsive and responsible bid is
submitted by a Marshallese contractor.
Sec. 113. The Secretary of Defense shall inform the appropriate
committees of both Houses of Congress, including the Committees on
Appropriations, of plans and scope of any proposed military exercise
involving United States personnel 30 days prior to its occurring, if
amounts expended for construction, either temporary or permanent, are
anticipated to exceed $100,000.
Sec. 114. Funds appropriated to the Department of Defense for
construction in prior years shall be available for construction
authorized for each such military department by the authorizations
enacted into law during the current session of Congress.
Sec. 115. For military construction or family housing projects
that are being completed with funds otherwise expired or lapsed for
obligation, expired or lapsed funds may be used to pay the cost of
associated supervision, inspection, overhead, engineering and design on
those projects and on subsequent claims, if any.
Sec. 116. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any funds
made available to a military department or defense agency for the
construction of military projects may be obligated for a military
construction project or contract, or for any portion of such a project
or contract, at any time before the end of the fourth fiscal year after
the fiscal year for which funds for such project were made available,
if the funds obligated for such project: (1) are obligated from funds
available for military construction projects; and (2) do not exceed the
amount appropriated for such project, plus any amount by which the cost
of such project is increased pursuant to law.
Sec. 117. Subject to 30 days prior notification, or 14 days for a
notification provided in an electronic medium pursuant to sections 480
and 2883 of title 10, United States Code, to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, such additional amounts as
may be determined by the Secretary of Defense may be transferred to:
(1) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund from
amounts appropriated for construction in ``Family Housing'' accounts,
to be merged with and to be available for the same purposes and for the
same period of time as amounts appropriated directly to the Fund; or
(2) the Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied Housing
Improvement Fund from amounts appropriated for construction of military
unaccompanied housing in ``Military Construction'' accounts, to be
merged with and to be available for the same purposes and for the same
period of time as amounts appropriated directly to the Fund: Provided,
That appropriations made available to the Funds shall be available to
cover the costs, as defined in section 502(5) of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, of direct loans or loan guarantees issued by the
Department of Defense pursuant to the provisions of subchapter IV of
chapter 169 of title 10, United States Code, pertaining to alternative
means of acquiring and improving military family housing, military
unaccompanied housing, and supporting facilities.
Sec. 118. In addition to any other transfer authority available to
the Department of Defense, amounts may be transferred from the
Department of Defense Base Closure Account to the fund established by
section 1013(d) of the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan
Development Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 3374) to pay for expenses associated
with the Homeowners Assistance Program incurred under 42 U.S.C.
3374(a)(1)(A). Any amounts transferred shall be merged with and be
available for the same purposes and for the same time period as the
fund to which transferred.
Sec. 119. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds made
available in this title for operation and maintenance of family housing
shall be the exclusive source of funds for repair and maintenance of
all family housing units, including general or flag officer quarters:
Provided, That not more than $20,000 per unit may be spent annually for
the maintenance and repair of any general or flag officer quarters
without 30 days prior notification, or 14 days for a notification
provided in an electronic medium pursuant to sections 480 and 2883 of
title 10, United States Code, to the Committees on Appropriations of
both Houses of Congress, except that an after-the-fact notification
shall be submitted if the limitation is exceeded solely due to costs
associated with environmental remediation that could not be reasonably
anticipated at the time of the budget submission: Provided further,
That the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) is to report annually
to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress all
operation and maintenance expenditures for each individual general or
flag officer quarters for the prior fiscal year.
Sec. 120. Amounts contained in the Ford Island Improvement Account
established by subsection (h) of section 2814 of title 10, United
States Code, are appropriated and shall be available until expended for
the purposes specified in subsection (i)(1) of such section or until
transferred pursuant to subsection (i)(3) of such section.
Sec. 121. During the 5-year period after appropriations available
in this Act to the Department of Defense for military construction and
family housing operation and maintenance and construction have expired
for obligation, upon a determination that such appropriations will not
be necessary for the liquidation of obligations or for making
authorized adjustments to such appropriations for obligations incurred
during the period of availability of such appropriations, unobligated
balances of such appropriations may be transferred into the
appropriation ``Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Construction, Defense'',
to be merged with and to be available for the same time period and for
the same purposes as the appropriation to which transferred.
Sec. 122. Amounts appropriated or otherwise made available in an
account funded under the headings in this title may be transferred
among projects and activities within the account in accordance with the
reprogramming guidelines for military construction and family housing
construction contained in Department of Defense Financial Management
Regulation 7000.14-R, Volume 3, Chapter 7, of April 2021, as in effect
on the date of enactment of this Act.
Sec. 123. None of the funds made available in this title may be
obligated or expended for planning and design and construction of
projects at Arlington National Cemetery.
Sec. 124. For an additional amount for the accounts and in the
amounts specified, to remain available until September 30, 2030:
``Military Construction, Army'', $100,000,000;
``Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps'',
$100,000,000;
``Military Construction, Air Force'', $100,000,000;
``Military Construction, Army National Guard'',
$40,000,000;
``Military Construction, Air National Guard'', $80,000,000;
``Military Construction, Army Reserve'', $40,000,000;
``Military Construction, Air Force Reserve'', $40,000,000;
and
Provided, That such funds may only be obligated to carry out
construction and cost to complete projects identified in the respective
military department's unfunded priority list for fiscal year 2025 or
fiscal year 2026 submitted to Congress: Provided further, That such
projects are subject to authorization prior to obligation and
expenditure of funds to carry out construction: Provided further, That
not later than 60 days after enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
the military department concerned, or their designee, shall submit to
the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress an
expenditure plan for funds provided under this section.
Sec. 125. All amounts appropriated to the ``Department of
Defense--Military Construction, Army'', ``Department of Defense--
Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps'', ``Department of
Defense--Military Construction, Air Force'', and ``Department of
Defense--Military Construction, Defense-Wide'' accounts pursuant to the
authorization of appropriations in a National Defense Authorization Act
specified for fiscal year 2026 in the funding table in section 4601 of
that Act shall be immediately available and allotted to contract for
the full scope of authorized projects.
Sec. 126. Notwithstanding section 116 of this Act, funds made
available in this Act or any available unobligated balances from prior
appropriations Acts may be obligated before October 1, 2027, for fiscal
year 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 military construction projects for
which project authorization has not lapsed or for which authorization
is extended for fiscal year 2026 by a National Defense Authorization
Act: Provided, That no amounts may be obligated pursuant to this
section from amounts that were designated by the Congress as an
emergency requirement pursuant to a concurrent resolution on the budget
or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Sec. 127. For the purposes of this Act, the term ``congressional
defense committees'' means the Committees on Armed Services of the
House of Representatives and the Senate, the Subcommittee on Military
Construction and Veterans Affairs of the Committee on Appropriations of
the Senate, and the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans
Affairs of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
Sec. 128. For an additional amount for the accounts and in the
amounts specified for planning and design and for construction
improvements to Department of Defense laboratory facilities, to remain
available until September 30, 2030:
``Military Construction, Army''$35,000,000;
``Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps'',
$35,000,000; and
``Military Construction, Air Force'', $35,000,000:
Provided, That not later than 60 days after enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of the military department concerned, or their designee,
shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress an expenditure plan for funds provided under this section:
Provided further, That the Secretary of the military department
concerned may not obligate or expend any funds prior to approval by the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the
expenditure plan required by this section.
Sec. 129. For an additional amount for the accounts and in the
amounts specified for planning and design, for child development
centers, to remain available until September 30, 2030:
``Military Construction, Army'', $25,000,000;
``Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps'',
$25,000,000; and
``Military Construction, Air Force'', $25,000,000:
Provided, That not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of the military department concerned, or their
designee, shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress an expenditure plan for funds provided under this
section.
Sec. 130. For an additional amount for the accounts and amounts
specified for planning and design, for barracks, to remain available
until September 30, 2030:
``Military Construction, Army'', $25,000,000;
``Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps'',
$25,000,000; and
``Military Construction, Air Force'', $25,000,000:
Provided, That not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of the military department concerned, or their
designee, shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress an expenditure plan for funds provided under this
section.
Sec. 131. For an additional amount for the accounts and in the
amounts specified for unspecified minor construction for demolition, to
remain available until September 30, 2029:
``Military Construction, Army'', $25,000,000;
``Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps'',
$25,000,000;
``Military Construction, Air Force'', $25,000,000;
Provided, That not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of the military department concerned, or their
designee, shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress an expenditure plan for funds provided under this
section: Provided further, That the Secretary of the military
department concerned may not obligate or expend any funds prior to
approval by the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress
of the expenditure plan required by this section.
Sec. 132. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used
to carry out the closure or realignment of the United States Naval
Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
TITLE II
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Veterans Benefits Administration
compensation and pensions
(including transfer of funds)
For the payment of compensation benefits to or on behalf of
veterans and a pilot program for disability examinations as authorized
by section 107 and chapters 11, 13, 18, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38,
United States Code; pension benefits to or on behalf of veterans as
authorized by chapters 15, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, United
States Code; and burial benefits, the Reinstated Entitlement Program
for Survivors, emergency and other officers' retirement pay, adjusted-
service credits and certificates, payment of premiums due on commercial
life insurance policies guaranteed under the provisions of title IV of
the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 541 et seq.) and
for other benefits as authorized by sections 107, 1312, 1977, and 2106,
and chapters 23, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, United States Code,
$241,947,603,000 which shall become available on October 1, 2026, to
remain available until expended: Provided, That not to exceed
$29,454,647 of the amount made available for fiscal year 2027 under
this heading shall be reimbursed to ``General Operating Expenses,
Veterans Benefits Administration'', and ``Information Technology
Systems'' for necessary expenses in implementing the provisions of
chapters 51, 53, and 55 of title 38, United States Code, the funding
source for which is specifically provided as the ``Compensation and
Pensions'' appropriation: Provided further, That such sums as may be
earned on an actual qualifying patient basis, shall be reimbursed to
``Medical Care Collections Fund'' to augment the funding of individual
medical facilities for nursing home care provided to pensioners as
authorized.
readjustment benefits
For the payment of readjustment and rehabilitation benefits to or
on behalf of veterans as authorized by chapters 21, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35,
36, 39, 41, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, United States Code,
$20,057,841,000, which shall become available on October 1, 2026, to
remain available until expended: Provided, That expenses for
rehabilitation program services and assistance which the Secretary is
authorized to provide under subsection (a) of section 3104 of title 38,
United States Code, other than under paragraphs (1), (2), (5), and (11)
of that subsection, shall be charged to this account.
veterans insurance and indemnities
For military and naval insurance, national service life insurance,
servicemen's indemnities, service-disabled veterans insurance, and
veterans mortgage life insurance as authorized by chapters 19 and 21 of
title 38, United States Code, $97,893,000, which shall become available
on October 1, 2026, to remain available until expended.
veterans housing benefit program fund
For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, such sums as may be
necessary to carry out the program, as authorized by subchapters I
through III of chapter 37 of title 38, United States Code: Provided,
That such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be
as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974:
Provided further, That, during fiscal year 2026, within the resources
available, not to exceed $500,000 in gross obligations for direct loans
are authorized for specially adapted housing loans.
In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the direct
and guaranteed loan programs, $266,736,842.
vocational rehabilitation loans program account
For the cost of direct loans, $45,428, as authorized by chapter 31
of title 38, United States Code: Provided, That such costs, including
the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That funds
made available under this heading are available to subsidize gross
obligations for the principal amount of direct loans not to exceed
$1,394,442.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry out the
direct loan program, $507,254, which may be paid to the appropriation
for ``General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration''.
native american veteran housing loan program account
For the principal amount of direct loans, $6,865,235, as authorized
by subchapter V of chapter 37 of title 38, United States Code:
Provided, That such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans,
shall be defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974: Provided further, That funds made available under this heading
are available to subsidize gross obligations for the principal amount
of the direct loans not to exceed $75,000,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry out the
direct loan program, $5,007,265, which shall be paid as appropriate to
the appropriations for ``General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits
Administration'' and ``General Administration''.
general operating expenses, veterans benefits administration
For necessary operating expenses of the Veterans Benefits
Administration, not otherwise provided for, including hire of passenger
motor vehicles, reimbursement of the General Services Administration
for security guard services, and reimbursement of the Department of
Defense for the cost of overseas employee mail, $3,876,425,000:
Provided, That expenses for services and assistance authorized under
paragraphs (1), (2), (5), and (11) of section 3104(a) of title 38,
United States Code, that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines
are necessary to enable entitled veterans: (1) to the maximum extent
feasible, to become employable and to obtain and maintain suitable
employment; or (2) to achieve maximum independence in daily living,
shall be charged to this account: Provided further, That, of the funds
made available under this heading, not to exceed 10 percent shall
remain available until September 30, 2027.
Veterans Health Administration
medical services
For necessary expenses for furnishing, as authorized by law,
inpatient and outpatient care and treatment to beneficiaries of the
Department of Veterans Affairs and veterans described in section
1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, including care and treatment
in facilities not under the jurisdiction of the Department, and
including medical supplies and equipment, bioengineering services, food
services, and salaries and expenses of healthcare employees hired under
title 38, United States Code, assistance and support services for
caregivers as authorized by section 1720G of title 38, United States
Code, loan repayments authorized by section 604 of the Caregivers and
Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124
Stat. 1174; 38 U.S.C. 7681 note), monthly assistance allowances
authorized by section 322(d) of title 38, United States Code, grants
authorized by section 521A of title 38, United States Code, and
administrative expenses necessary to carry out sections 322(d) and 521A
of title 38, United States Code, and hospital care and medical services
authorized by section 1787 of title 38, United States Code;
$59,858,000,000, plus reimbursements, shall become available on October
1, 2026, and shall remain available until September 30, 2027:
Provided, That of the amount made available on October 1, 2026, under
this heading, $2,000,000,000 shall remain available until September 30,
2028: Provided further, That notwithstanding any other provision of
law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a priority for
the provision of medical treatment for veterans who have service-
connected disabilities, lower income, or have special needs: Provided
further, That notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs shall give priority funding for the provision of
basic medical benefits to veterans in enrollment priority groups 1
through 6: Provided further, That notwithstanding any other provision
of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may authorize the dispensing
of prescription drugs from Veterans Health Administration facilities to
enrolled veterans with privately written prescriptions based on
requirements established by the Secretary: Provided further, That the
implementation of the program described in the previous proviso shall
incur no additional cost to the Department of Veterans Affairs:
Provided further, That the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure
that sufficient amounts appropriated under this heading for medical
supplies and equipment are available for the acquisition of prosthetics
designed specifically for female veterans: Provided further,That
nothing in section 2044(e)(1) of title 38, United States Code, may be
construed as limiting amounts that may be made available under this
heading for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 in this or prior Acts.
medical community care
For necessary expenses for furnishing health care to individuals
pursuant to chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, at non-
Department facilities, $3,000,000,000 to remain available until
September 30, 2027; and in addition $38,700,000,000, plus
reimbursements, shall become available on October 1, 2026, and shall
remain available until September 30, 2027: Provided, That, of the
amount made available on October 1, 2026, under this heading,
$2,000,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2028.
Provided further, That of the $34,000,000,000 that became available on
October 1, 2025, previously appropriated under this heading in the
Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025 (division A of P.L. 119-
4), $3,000,000,000 is hereby permanently cancelled.
medical support and compliance
For necessary expenses in the administration of the medical,
hospital, nursing home, domiciliary, construction, supply, and research
activities, as authorized by law; administrative expenses in support of
capital policy activities; and administrative and legal expenses of the
Department for collecting and recovering amounts owed the Department as
authorized under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, and the
Federal Medical Care Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 2651 et seq.),
$12,000,000,000, plus reimbursements, shall become available on October
1, 2026, and shall remain available until September 30, 2027:
Provided, That, of the amount made available on October 1, 2026, under
this heading, $350,000,000 shall remain available until September 30,
2028.
medical facilities
For necessary expenses for the maintenance and operation of
hospitals, nursing homes, domiciliary facilities, and other necessary
facilities of the Veterans Health Administration; for administrative
expenses in support of planning, design, project management, real
property acquisition and disposition, construction, and renovation of
any facility under the jurisdiction or for the use of the Department;
for oversight, engineering, and architectural activities not charged to
project costs; for repairing, altering, improving, or providing
facilities in the several hospitals and homes under the jurisdiction of
the Department, not otherwise provided for, either by contract or by
the hire of temporary employees and purchase of materials; for leases
of facilities; and for laundry services; $11,700,000,000, plus
reimbursements, shall become available on October 1, 2026, and shall
remain available until September 30, 2027: Provided, That of the
amount made available on October 1, 2026, under this heading,
$500,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2028.
bridging rental assistance for veteran empowerment
Contingent upon enactment of authorizing legislation to create a
rental assistance voucher program for homeless veterans at the
Department of Veterans Affairs, for necessary expenses to carry out the
Bridging Rental Assistance for Veteran Empowerment program,
$970,000,000 to remain available until September 30, 2029, of which up
to $75,000,000 shall be available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
to carry out pilot programs, including any necessary administrative
expenses, that aim to end homelessness among veterans.
medical and prosthetic research
For necessary expenses in carrying out programs of medical and
prosthetic research and development as authorized by chapter 73 of
title 38, United States Code, $943,000,000, plus reimbursements, shall
remain available until September 30, 2027: Provided, That the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that sufficient amounts
appropriated under this heading are available for prosthetic research
specifically for female veterans, and for toxic exposure research.
National Cemetery Administration
For necessary expenses of the National Cemetery Administration for
operations and maintenance, not otherwise provided for, including
uniforms or allowances therefor; cemeterial expenses as authorized by
law; purchase of one passenger motor vehicle for use in cemeterial
operations; hire of passenger motor vehicles; and repair, alteration or
improvement of facilities under the jurisdiction of the National
Cemetery Administration, $497,000,000, of which not to exceed 10
percent shall remain available until September 30, 2027.
Departmental Administration
general administration
(including transfer of funds)
For necessary operating expenses of the Department of Veterans
Affairs, not otherwise provided for, including administrative expenses
in support of Department-wide capital planning, management and policy
activities, uniforms, or allowances therefor; not to exceed $25,000 for
official reception and representation expenses; hire of passenger motor
vehicles; and reimbursement of the General Services Administration for
security guard services, $450,000,000, of which not to exceed 10
percent shall remain available until September 30, 2027: Provided,
That funds provided under this heading may be transferred to ``General
Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration''.
board of veterans appeals
For necessary operating expenses of the Board of Veterans Appeals,
$287,000,000 of which not to exceed 10 percent shall remain available
until September 30, 2027.
information technology systems
(including transfer of funds)
For necessary expenses for information technology systems and
telecommunications support, including developmental information systems
and operational information systems; for pay and associated costs; and
for the capital asset acquisition of information technology systems,
including management and related contractual costs of said
acquisitions, including contractual costs associated with operations
authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code,
$5,882,000,000, plus reimbursements: Provided, That $1,350,000,000
shall be for pay and associated costs, of which not to exceed 3 percent
shall remain available until September 30, 2027: Provided further,
That $4,531,000,000 shall be for operations and maintenance, of which
not to exceed 5 percent shall remain available until September 30,
2027, and of which $118,900,000 shall remain available until September
30, 2030, for the purpose of facility activations related to projects
funded by the ``Construction, Major Projects'', ``Construction, Minor
Projects'', ``Medical Facilities'', ``National Cemetery
Administration'', ``General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefit
Administration'', and ``General Administration'' accounts: Provided
further, That $1,000,000 shall be for information technology systems
development, and shall remain available until September 30, 2027:
Provided further, That amounts made available for salaries and
expenses, operations and maintenance, and information technology
systems development may be transferred among the three subaccounts
after the Secretary of Veterans Affairs requests from the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority to make the
transfer and an approval is issued: Provided further, That amounts
made available for the ``Information Technology Systems'' account for
development may be transferred among projects or to newly defined
projects: Provided further, That no project may be increased or
decreased by more than $3,000,000 of cost prior to submitting a request
to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress to make
the transfer and an approval is issued, or absent a response, a period
of 30 days has elapsed: Provided further, That the funds made
available under this heading for information technology systems
development shall be for the projects, and in the amounts, specified in
the table entitled ``Information Technology Development Projects''
under this heading in the report accompanying this Act.
veterans electronic health record
For activities related to implementation, preparation, development,
interface, management, rollout, and maintenance of a Veterans
Electronic Health Record system, including contractual costs associated
with operations authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States
Code, and salaries and expenses of employees hired under titles 5 and
38, United States Code, $2,515,893,000, to remain available until
September 30, 2028: Provided, That the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress quarterly reports detailing obligations, expenditures, and
deployment implementation by facility, including any changes from the
deployment plan or schedule: Provided further, That the funds provided
in this account shall only be available to the Office of the Deputy
Secretary, to be administered by that Office: Provided further, That
25 percent of the funds made available under this heading shall not be
available until July 1, 2026, and are contingent upon the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs--
(1) providing the Committees on Appropriations certifying
and detailing any changes to the full deployment schedule, no
later than 60 days prior to July 1, 2027; and
(2) certifying in writing no later than 30 days prior to
July 1, 2027, the following--
(A) the status of issues included in the report
referenced in paragraph (1), including issues that have
not been closed but have been suitably resolved or
mitigated in a manner that will enhance provider
productivity and minimize the potential for patient
harm; and
(B) whether the system is stable, and optimized for
further deployment at VA sites.
office of inspector general
For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General, to
include information technology, in carrying out the provisions of the
Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), $295,000,000, of which
not to exceed 10 percent shall remain available until September 30,
2027.
construction, major projects
For constructing, altering, extending, and improving any of the
facilities, including parking projects, under the jurisdiction or for
the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or for any of the
purposes set forth in sections 316, 2404, 2406 and chapter 81 of title
38, United States Code, not otherwise provided for, including planning,
architectural and engineering services, construction management
services, maintenance or guarantee period services costs associated
with equipment guarantees provided under the project, services of
claims analysts, offsite utility and storm drainage system construction
costs, and site acquisition, where the estimated cost of a project is
more than the amount set forth in section 8104(a)(3)(A) of title 38,
United States Code, or where funds for a project were made available in
a previous major project appropriation, $1,750,000,000, which shall
remain available until September 30, 2030: Provided, That except for
advance planning activities, including needs assessments which may or
may not lead to capital investments, and other capital asset management
related activities, including portfolio development and management
activities, and planning, cost estimating, and design for major medical
facility projects and major medical facility leases and investment
strategy studies funded through the advance planning fund and the
planning and design activities funded through the design fund, staffing
expenses, and funds provided for the purchase, security, and
maintenance of land for the National Cemetery Administration and the
Veterans Health Administration through the land acquisition line item,
none of the funds made available under this heading shall be used for
any project that has not been notified to Congress through the
budgetary process or that has not been approved by the Congress through
statute, joint resolution, or in the explanatory statement accompanying
such Act and presented to the President at the time of enrollment:
Provided further, That funds provided for the Veterans Health
Administration through the land acquisition line item shall only be for
projects included on the five year development plan notified to
Congress through the budgetary process: Provided further, That such
sums as may be necessary shall be available to reimburse the ``General
Administration'' account for payment of salaries and expenses of all
Office of Construction and Facilities Management employees to support
the full range of capital infrastructure services provided, including
minor construction and leasing services: Provided further, That funds
made available under this heading for fiscal year 2026, for each
approved project shall be obligated: (1) by the awarding of a
construction documents contract by September 30, 2026; and (2) by the
awarding of a construction contract by September 30, 2027: Provided
further, That the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall promptly submit
to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a
written report on any approved major construction project for which
obligations are not incurred within the time limitations established
above.
construction, minor projects
For constructing, altering, extending, and improving any of the
facilities, including parking projects, under the jurisdiction or for
the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs, including planning and
assessments of needs which may lead to capital investments,
architectural and engineering services, maintenance or guarantee period
services costs associated with equipment guarantees provided under the
project, services of claims analysts, offsite utility and storm
drainage system construction costs, and site acquisition, or for any of
the purposes set forth in sections 316, 2404, 2406 and chapter 81 of
title 38, United States Code, not otherwise provided for, where the
estimated cost of a project is equal to or less than the amount set
forth in section 8104(a)(3)(A) of title 38, United States Code,
$232,000,000, of which $200,000,000 shall remain available until
September 30, 2030, and of which $32,000,000 shall remain available
until expended, along with unobligated balances of previous
``Construction, Minor Projects'' appropriations which are hereby made
available for any project where the estimated cost is equal to or less
than the amount set forth in such section: Provided, That funds made
available under this heading shall be for: (1) repairs to any of the
nonmedical facilities under the jurisdiction or for the use of the
Department which are necessary because of loss or damage caused by any
natural disaster or catastrophe; and (2) temporary measures necessary
to prevent or to minimize further loss by such causes.
grants for construction of state extended care facilities
For grants to assist States to acquire or construct State nursing
home and domiciliary facilities and to remodel, modify, or alter
existing hospital, nursing home, and domiciliary facilities in State
homes, for furnishing care to veterans as authorized by sections 8131
through 8137 of title 38, United States Code, $171,000,000, to remain
available until expended.
grants for construction of veterans cemeteries
For grants to assist States and tribal organizations in
establishing, expanding, or improving veterans cemeteries as authorized
by section 2408 of title 38, United States Code, $60,000,000, to remain
available until expended.
cost of war toxic exposures fund
For investment in the delivery of veterans' health care associated
with exposure to environmental hazards, the expenses incident to the
delivery of veterans' health care and benefits associated with exposure
to environmental hazards, and medical and other research relating to
exposure to environmental hazards, as authorized by section 324 of
title 38, United States Code, and in addition to the amounts otherwise
available for such purposes in the appropriations provided in this or
prior Acts, $52,676,000,000, which shall become available on October 1,
2025, and shall remain available until expended; and, in addition,
$51,742,000,000, which shall become available on October 1, 2026, and
shall remain available until September 30, 2028.
Administrative Provisions
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 201. Any appropriation for fiscal year 2026 for
``Compensation and Pensions'', ``Readjustment Benefits'', and
``Veterans Insurance and Indemnities'' may be transferred as necessary
to any other of the mentioned appropriations: Provided, That, before a
transfer may take place, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
request from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress the authority to make the transfer and such Committees issue
an approval, or absent a response, a period of 30 days has elapsed.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 202. Amounts made available for the Department of Veterans
Affairs for fiscal year 2026, in this or any other Act, under the
``Medical Services'', ``Medical Community Care'', ``Medical Support and
Compliance'', and ``Medical Facilities'' accounts may be transferred
among the accounts: Provided, That any transfers among the ``Medical
Services'', ``Medical Community Care'', and ``Medical Support and
Compliance'' accounts of 1 percent or less of the total amount
appropriated to the account in this or any other Act may take place
subject to notification from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the amount
and purpose of the transfer: Provided further, That any transfers
among the ``Medical Services'', ``Medical Community Care'', and
``Medical Support and Compliance'' accounts in excess of 1 percent, or
exceeding the cumulative 1 percent for the fiscal year, may take place
only after the Secretary requests from the Committees on Appropriations
of both Houses of Congress the authority to make the transfer and an
approval is issued: Provided further, That any transfers to or from
the ``Medical Facilities'' account may take place only after the
Secretary requests from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses
of Congress the authority to make the transfer and an approval is
issued.
Sec. 203. Appropriations available in this title for salaries and
expenses shall be available for services authorized by section 3109 of
title 5, United States Code; hire of passenger motor vehicles; lease of
a facility or land or both; and uniforms or allowances therefore, as
authorized by sections 5901 through 5902 of title 5, United States
Code.
Sec. 204. No appropriations in this title (except the
appropriations for ``Construction, Major Projects'', and
``Construction, Minor Projects'') shall be available for the purchase
of any site for or toward the construction of any new hospital or home.
Sec. 205. No appropriations in this title shall be available for
hospitalization or examination of any persons (except beneficiaries
entitled to such hospitalization or examination under the laws
providing such benefits to veterans, and persons receiving such
treatment under sections 7901 through 7904 of title 5, United States
Code, or the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.)), unless reimbursement of the
cost of such hospitalization or examination is made to the ``Medical
Services'' account at such rates as may be fixed by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 206. Appropriations available in this title for
``Compensation and Pensions'', ``Readjustment Benefits'', and
``Veterans Insurance and Indemnities'' shall be available for payment
of prior year accrued obligations required to be recorded by law
against the corresponding prior year accounts within the last quarter
of fiscal year 2025.
Sec. 207. Appropriations available in this title shall be
available to pay prior year obligations of corresponding prior year
appropriations accounts resulting from sections 3328(a), 3334, and
3712(a) of title 31, United States Code, except that if such
obligations are from trust fund accounts they shall be payable only
from ``Compensation and Pensions''.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 208. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, during
fiscal year 2026, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, from the
National Service Life Insurance Fund under section 1920 of title 38,
United States Code, the Veterans' Special Life Insurance Fund under
section 1923 of title 38, United States Code, and the United States
Government Life Insurance Fund under section 1955 of title 38, United
States Code, reimburse the ``General Operating Expenses, Veterans
Benefits Administration'' and ``Information Technology Systems''
accounts for the cost of administration of the insurance programs
financed through those accounts: Provided, That reimbursement shall be
made only from the surplus earnings accumulated in such an insurance
program during fiscal year 2025 that are available for dividends in
that program after claims have been paid and actuarially determined
reserves have been set aside: Provided further, That if the cost of
administration of such an insurance program exceeds the amount of
surplus earnings accumulated in that program, reimbursement shall be
made only to the extent of such surplus earnings: Provided further,
That the Secretary shall determine the cost of administration for
fiscal year 2025 which is properly allocable to the provision of each
such insurance program and to the provision of any total disability
income insurance included in that insurance program.
Sec. 209. Amounts deducted from enhanced-use lease proceeds to
reimburse an account for expenses incurred by that account during a
prior fiscal year for providing enhanced-use lease services shall be
available until expended.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 210. Funds available in this title or funds for salaries and
other administrative expenses shall also be available to reimburse the
Office of Resolution Management, the Office of Employment
Discrimination Complaint Adjudication, and the Alternative Dispute
Resolution function within the Office of Human Resources and
Administration for all services provided at rates which will recover
actual costs but not to exceed $134,343,000 for the Office of
Resolution Management, $7,607,000 for the Office of Employment
Discrimination Complaint Adjudication, and $7,686,000 for the
Alternative Dispute Resolution function within the Office of Human
Resources and Administration: Provided, That payments may be made in
advance for services to be furnished based on estimated costs:
Provided further, That amounts received shall be credited to the
``General Administration'' and ``Information Technology Systems''
accounts for use by the office that provided the service.
Sec. 211. No funds of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall be
available for hospital care, nursing home care, or medical services
provided to any person under chapter 17 of title 38, United States
Code, for a non-service-connected disability described in section
1729(a)(2) of such title, unless that person has disclosed to the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in such form as the Secretary may
require, current, accurate third-party reimbursement information for
purposes of section 1729 of such title: Provided, That the Secretary
may recover, in the same manner as any other debt due the United
States, the reasonable charges for such care or services from any
person who does not make such disclosure as required: Provided
further, That any amounts so recovered for care or services provided in
a prior fiscal year may be obligated by the Secretary during the fiscal
year in which amounts are received.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 212. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, proceeds or
revenues derived from enhanced-use leasing activities (including
disposal) may be deposited into the ``Construction, Major Projects''
and ``Construction, Minor Projects'' accounts and be used for
construction (including site acquisition and disposition), alterations,
and improvements of any medical facility under the jurisdiction or for
the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Such sums as realized
are in addition to the amount provided for in ``Construction, Major
Projects'' and ``Construction, Minor Projects''.
Sec. 213. Amounts made available under ``Medical Services'' are
available--
(1) for furnishing recreational facilities, supplies, and
equipment; and
(2) for funeral expenses, burial expenses, and other
expenses incidental to funerals and burials for beneficiaries
receiving care in the Department.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 214. Such sums as may be deposited into the Medical Care
Collections Fund pursuant to section 1729A of title 38, United States
Code, may be transferred to the ``Medical Services'' and ``Medical
Community Care'' accounts to remain available until expended for the
purposes of these accounts.
Sec. 215. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into
agreements with Federally Qualified Health Centers in the State of
Alaska and Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations which are party to
the Alaska Native Health Compact with the Indian Health Service, to
provide healthcare, including behavioral health and dental care, to
veterans in rural Alaska. The Secretary shall require participating
veterans and facilities to comply with all appropriate rules and
regulations, as established by the Secretary. The term ``rural Alaska''
shall mean those lands which are not within the boundaries of the
municipality of Anchorage or the Fairbanks North Star Borough.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 216. Such sums as may be deposited into the Department of
Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Fund pursuant to section 8118 of title
38, United States Code, may be transferred to the ``Construction, Major
Projects'' and ``Construction, Minor Projects'' accounts, to remain
available until expended for the purposes of these accounts.
Sec. 217. Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal
quarter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a report on the
financial status of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the
preceding quarter: Provided, That, at a minimum, the report shall
include the direction contained in the paragraph entitled ``Quarterly
reporting'', under the heading ``General Administration'' in the joint
explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 114-223.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 218. Amounts made available under the ``Medical Services'',
``Medical Community Care'', ``Medical Support and Compliance'',
``Medical Facilities'', ``General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits
Administration'', ``Board of Veterans Appeals'', ``General
Administration'', and ``National Cemetery Administration'' accounts for
fiscal year 2026 may be transferred to or from the ``Information
Technology Systems'' account: Provided, That such transfers may not
result in a more than 10 percent aggregate increase in the total amount
made available by this Act for the ``Information Technology Systems''
account: Provided further, That, before a transfer may take place, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority to make the
transfer and an approval is issued.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 219. Of the amounts appropriated to the Department of
Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2026 for ``Medical Services'',
``Medical Community Care'', ``Medical Support and Compliance'',
``Medical Facilities'', ``Construction, Minor Projects'', and
``Information Technology Systems'', up to $654,954,000, plus
reimbursements, may be transferred to the Joint Department of Defense--
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund,
established by section 1704 of the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84; 123 Stat. 2571) and may be
used for operation of the facilities designated as combined Federal
medical facilities as described by section 706 of the Duncan Hunter
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law
110-417; 122 Stat. 4500): Provided, That additional funds may be
transferred from accounts designated in this section to the Joint
Department of Defense--Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility
Demonstration Fund upon written notification by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress: Provided further, That section 220 of title II of division A
of Public Law 118-42, as continued by division A of Public Law 119-4 is
repealed.
Sec. 220. Of the amounts appropriated to the Department of
Veterans Affairs which become available on October 1, 2026, for
``Medical Services'', ``Medical Community Care'', ``Medical Support and
Compliance'', and ``Medical Facilities'', up to $739,918,000, plus
reimbursements, may be transferred to the Joint Department of Defense--
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund,
established by section 1704 of the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84; 123 Stat. 2571) and may be
used for operation of the facilities designated as combined Federal
medical facilities as described by section 706 of the Duncan Hunter
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law
110-417; 122 Stat. 4500): Provided, That additional funds may be
transferred from accounts designated in this section to the Joint
Department of Defense--Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility
Demonstration Fund upon written notification by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 221. Such sums as may be deposited into the Medical Care
Collections Fund pursuant to section 1729A of title 38, United States
Code, for healthcare provided at facilities designated as combined
Federal medical facilities as described by section 706 of the Duncan
Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public
Law 110-417; 122 Stat. 4500) shall also be available: (1) for transfer
to the Joint Department of Defense--Department of Veterans Affairs
Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, established by section 1704 of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law
111-84; 123 Stat. 2571); and (2) for operations of the facilities
designated as combined Federal medical facilities as described by
section 706 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110-417; 122 Stat. 4500): Provided, That,
notwithstanding section 1704(b)(3) of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84; 123 Stat.
2573), amounts transferred to the Joint Department of Defense--
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund
shall remain available until expended.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 222. Of the amounts available in this title for ``Medical
Services'', ``Medical Community Care'', ``Medical Support and
Compliance'', and ``Medical Facilities'', a minimum of $15,000,000
shall be transferred to the DOD-VA Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund,
as authorized by section 8111(d) of title 38, United States Code, to
remain available until expended, for any purpose authorized by section
8111 of title 38, United States Code.
Sec. 223. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall notify the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of all bid
savings in a major construction project that total at least $5,000,000,
or 5 percent of the programmed amount of the project, whichever is
less: Provided, That such notification shall occur within 14 days of a
contract identifying the programmed amount: Provided further, That the
Secretary shall notify the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses
of Congress 14 days prior to the obligation of such bid savings and
shall describe the anticipated use of such savings.
Sec. 224. None of the funds made available for ``Construction,
Major Projects'' may be used for a project in excess of the scope
specified for that project in the original justification data provided
to the Congress as part of the request for appropriations unless the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs receives approval from the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
Sec. 225. Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal
quarter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a quarterly
report containing performance measures and data from each Veterans
Benefits Administration Regional Office: Provided, That, at a minimum,
the report shall include the direction contained in the section
entitled ``Disability claims backlog'', under the heading ``General
Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration'' in the joint
explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 114-223: Provided
further, That the report shall also include information on the number
of appeals pending at the Veterans Benefits Administration as well as
the Board of Veterans Appeals on a quarterly basis.
Sec. 226. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide written
notification to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress 15 days prior to organizational changes which result in the
transfer of 25 or more full-time equivalents from one organizational
unit of the Department of Veterans Affairs to another.
Sec. 227. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide on a
quarterly basis to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress notification of any single national outreach and awareness
marketing campaign in which obligations exceed $1,000,000.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 228. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, upon determination
that such action is necessary to address needs of the Veterans Health
Administration, may transfer to the ``Medical Services'' account any
discretionary appropriations made available for fiscal year 2026 in
this title (except appropriations made to the ``General Operating
Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration'' account) or any
discretionary unobligated balances within the Department of Veterans
Affairs, including those appropriated for fiscal year 2026, that were
provided in advance by appropriations Acts: Provided, That transfers
shall be made only with the approval of the Office of Management and
Budget: Provided further, That the transfer authority provided in this
section is in addition to any other transfer authority provided by law:
Provided further, That no amounts may be transferred from amounts that
were designated by Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to a
concurrent resolution on the budget or the Balanced Budget and
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That such
authority to transfer may not be used unless for higher priority items,
based on emergent healthcare requirements, than those for which
originally appropriated and in no case where the item for which funds
are requested has been denied by Congress: Provided further, That,
upon determination that all or part of the funds transferred from an
appropriation are not necessary, such amounts may be transferred back
to that appropriation and shall be available for the same purposes as
originally appropriated: Provided further, That before a transfer may
take place, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority
to make the transfer and receive approval of that request.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 229. Amounts made available for the Department of Veterans
Affairs for fiscal year 2026, under the ``Board of Veterans Appeals''
and the ``General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits
Administration'' accounts may be transferred between such accounts:
Provided, That before a transfer may take place, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall request from the Committees on Appropriations of
both Houses of Congress the authority to make the transfer and receive
approval of that request.
Sec. 230. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not reprogram
funds among major construction projects or programs if such instance of
reprogramming will exceed $7,000,000, unless such reprogramming is
approved by the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress.
Sec. 231. (a) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that
the toll-free suicide hotline under section 1720F(h) of title 38,
United States Code--
(1) provides to individuals who contact the hotline
immediate assistance from a trained professional; and
(2) adheres to all requirements of the American Association
of Suicidology.
(b)(1) None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to
enforce or otherwise carry out any Executive action that prohibits the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs from appointing an individual to occupy a
vacant civil service position, or establishing a new civil service
position, at the Department of Veterans Affairs with respect to such a
position relating to the hotline specified in subsection (a).
(2) In this subsection--
(A) the term ``civil service'' has the meaning given such
term in section 2101(1) of title 5, United States Code; and
(B) the term ``Executive action'' includes--
(i) any Executive order, Presidential memorandum,
or other action by the President; and
(ii) any agency policy, order, or other directive.
(c)(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study on
the effectiveness of the hotline specified in subsection (a) during the
5-year period beginning on January 1, 2016, based on an analysis of
national suicide data and data collected from such hotline.
(2) At a minimum, the study required by paragraph (1) shall--
(A) determine the number of veterans who contact the
hotline specified in subsection (a) and who receive follow up
services from the hotline or mental health services from the
Department of Veterans Affairs thereafter;
(B) determine the number of veterans who contact the
hotline who are not referred to, or do not continue receiving,
mental health care who commit suicide; and
(C) determine the number of veterans described in
subparagraph (A) who commit or attempt suicide.
Sec. 232. Effective during the period beginning on October 1,
2018, and ending on January 1, 2026, none of the funds made available
to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs by this or any other Act may be
obligated or expended in contravention of the ``Veterans Health
Administration Clinical Preventive Services Guidance Statement on the
Veterans Health Administration's Screening for Breast Cancer Guidance''
published on May 10, 2017, as issued by the Veterans Health
Administration National Center for Health Promotion and Disease
Prevention.
Sec. 233. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of
Veterans Affairs for the ``Medical Services'' account may be used to
provide--
(1) fertility counseling and treatment using assisted
reproductive technology to a covered veteran or the spouse of a
covered veteran; or
(2) adoption reimbursement to a covered veteran.
(b) In this section:
(1) The term ``service-connected'' has the meaning given
such term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
(2) The term ``covered veteran'' means a veteran, as such
term is defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code,
who has a service-connected disability that results in the
inability of the veteran to procreate without the use of
fertility treatment.
(3) The term ``assisted reproductive technology'' means
benefits relating to reproductive assistance provided to a
member of the Armed Forces who incurs a serious injury or
illness on active duty pursuant to section 1074(c)(4)(A) of
title 10, United States Code, as described in the memorandum on
the subject of ``Policy for Assisted Reproductive Services for
the Benefit of Seriously or Severely Ill/Injured (Category II
or III) Active Duty Service Members'' issued by the Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs on April 3, 2012, and
the guidance issued to implement such policy, including any
limitations on the amount of such benefits available to such a
member except that--
(A) the time periods regarding embryo
cryopreservation and storage set forth in part III(G)
and in part IV(H) of such memorandum shall not apply;
and
(B) such term includes embryo cryopreservation and
storage without limitation on the duration of such
cryopreservation and storage.
(4) The term ``adoption reimbursement'' means reimbursement
for the adoption-related expenses for an adoption that is
finalized after the date of the enactment of this Act under the
same terms as apply under the adoption reimbursement program of
the Department of Defense, as authorized in Department of
Defense Instruction 1341.09, including the reimbursement limits
and requirements set forth in such instruction.
(c) Amounts made available for the purposes specified in subsection
(a) of this section are subject to the requirements for funds contained
in section 508 of division H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act,
2018 (Public Law 115-141).
Sec. 234. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act or any other Act for the Department of Veterans
Affairs may be used in a manner that is inconsistent with: (1) section
842 of the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the
Judiciary, the District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2006 (Public Law 109-115; 119 Stat. 2506); or (2)
section 8110(a)(5) of title 38, United States Code.
Sec. 235. Section 842 of Public Law 109-115 shall not apply to
conversion of an activity or function of the Veterans Health
Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, or National Cemetery
Administration to contractor performance by a business concern that is
at least 51 percent owned by one or more Indian Tribes as defined in
section 5304(e) of title 25, United States Code, or one or more Native
Hawaiian Organizations as defined in section 637(a)(15) of title 15,
United States Code.
Sec. 236. (a) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation
with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Labor, shall
discontinue using Social Security account numbers to authenticate
individuals in all information systems of the Department of Veterans
Affairs for all individuals not later than September 30, 2026:
(b) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may collect and use a Social
Security account number to identify an individual, in accordance with
section 552a of title 5, United States Code, in an information system
of the Department of Veterans Affairs if and only if the use of such
number is necessary to:
(1) obtain or provide information the Secretary requires
from an information system that is not under the jurisdiction
of the Secretary;
(2) comply with a law, regulation, or court order;
(3) perform anti-fraud activities; or
(4) identify a specific individual where no adequate
substitute is available.
(c) The matter in subsections (a) and (b) shall supersede section
237 of division J of Public Law 117-328.
Sec. 237. For funds provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs
for each of fiscal year 2026 and 2027 for ``Medical Services'', section
239 of division A of Public Law 114-223 shall apply.
Sec. 238. None of the funds appropriated in this or prior
appropriations Acts or otherwise made available to the Department of
Veterans Affairs may be used to transfer any amounts from the Filipino
Veterans Equity Compensation Fund to any other account within the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 239. Of the funds provided to the Department of Veterans
Affairs for each of fiscal year 2026 and fiscal year 2027 for ``Medical
Services'', funds may be used in each year to carry out and expand the
child care program authorized by section 205 of Public Law 111-163,
notwithstanding subsection (e) of such section.
Sec. 240. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available in this title may be used by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to enter into an agreement related to resolving a dispute or
claim with an individual that would restrict in any way the individual
from speaking to members of Congress or their staff on any topic not
otherwise prohibited from disclosure by Federal law or required by
Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense
or the conduct of foreign affairs.
Sec. 241. For funds provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs
for each of fiscal year 2026 and 2027, section 258 of division A of
Public Law 114-223 shall apply.
Sec. 242. (a) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act may be used to deny an Inspector General funded
under this Act timely access to any records, documents, or other
materials available to the department or agency over which that
Inspector General has responsibilities under the Inspector General Act
of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), or to prevent or impede the access of the
Inspector General to such records, documents, or other materials, under
any provision of law, except a provision of law that expressly refers
to such Inspector General and expressly limits the right of access.
(b) A department or agency covered by this section shall provide
its Inspector General access to all records, documents, and other
materials in a timely manner.
(c) Each Inspector General shall ensure compliance with statutory
limitations on disclosure relevant to the information provided by the
establishment over which that Inspector General has responsibilities
under the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).
(d) Each Inspector General covered by this section shall report to
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives within 5 calendar days
of any failure by any department or agency covered by this section to
comply with this requirement.
Sec. 243. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used
in a manner that would increase wait times for veterans who seek care
at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 244. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act to the Veterans Health Administration may be used
in fiscal year 2026 to convert any program which received specific
purpose funds in fiscal year 2025 to a general purpose funded program
unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs submits written notification
of any such proposal to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses
of Congress at least 30 days prior to any such action and an approval
is issued by the Committees.
Sec. 245. For funds provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs
for each of fiscal year 2026 and 2027, section 248 of division A of
Public Law 114-223 shall apply.
Sec. 246. (a) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act may be used to conduct research commencing on or
after July 1, 2025, that uses any canine, feline, or non-human primate
unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs approves such research
specifically and in writing pursuant to subsection (b).
(b)(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may approve the conduct of
research commencing on or after July 1, 2025, using canines, felines,
or non-human primates if the Secretary certifies that--
(A) the scientific objectives of the research can only be
met by using such canines, felines, or non-human primates and
cannot be met using other animal models, in vitro models,
computational models, human clinical studies, or other research
alternatives;
(B) such scientific objectives are necessary to advance
research benefiting veterans and are directly related to an
illness or injury that is combat-related as defined by 10
U.S.C. 1413(e);
(C) the research is consistent with the revised Department
of Veterans Affairs canine research policy document dated
December 15, 2017, including any subsequent revisions to such
document; and
(D) ethical considerations regarding minimizing the harm
experienced by canines, felines, or non-human primates are
included in evaluating the scientific necessity of the
research.
(2) The Secretary may not delegate the authority under this
subsection.
(c) If the Secretary approves any new research pursuant to
subsection (b), not later than 30 days before the commencement of such
research, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on
Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives a report
describing--
(1) the nature of the research to be conducted using
canines, felines, or non-human primates;
(2) the date on which the Secretary approved the research
(3) the USDA pain category on the approved use
(4) the justification for the determination of the
Secretary that the scientific objectives of such research could
only be met using canines, felines, or non-human primates, and
methods used to make such determination;
(5) the frequency and duration of such research; and
(6) the protocols in place to ensure the necessity, safety,
and efficacy of the research, and animal welfare.
(d) Not later than December 31, 2025, and biannually thereafter,
the Secretary shall submit to such Committees a report describing--
(1) any research being conducted by the Department of
Veterans Affairs using canines, felines, or non-human primates
as of the date of the submittal of the report;
(2) the circumstances under which such research was
conducted using canines, felines, or non-human primates;
(3) the justification for using canines, felines, or non-
human primates to conduct such research;
(4) the protocols in place to ensure the necessity, safety,
and efficacy of such research; and
(5) the development and adoption of alternatives to
canines, felines, or non-human primates research.
(e) Not later than December 31, 2025, and annually thereafter, the
Department of Veterans Affairs must submit to voluntary U.S. Department
of Agriculture inspections of canine, feline, and non-human primate
research facilities.
(f) Not later than December 31, 2025, and annually thereafter, the
Secretary shall submit to such Committees a report describing --
(1) any violations of the Animal Welfare Act, the Public
Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory
Animals, or other Department of Veterans Affairs policies
related to oversight of animal research found during that
quarter in VA research facilities;
(2) immediate corrective actions taken; and
(3) specific actions taken to prevent their recurrence.
(g) The Department shall implement a plan under which the Secretary
will eliminate the research conducted using canines, felines, or non-
human primates by not later than September 20, 2026.
Sec. 247. (a) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may use amounts
appropriated or otherwise made available in this title to ensure that
the ratio of veterans to full-time employment equivalents within any
program of rehabilitation conducted under chapter 31 of title 38,
United States Code, does not exceed 125 veterans to one full-time
employment equivalent.
(b) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the programs of
rehabilitation conducted under chapter 31 of title 38, United States
Code, including--
(1) an assessment of the veteran-to-staff ratio for each
such program; and
(2) recommendations for such action as the Secretary
considers necessary to reduce the veteran-to-staff ratio for
each such program.
Sec. 248. Amounts made available for the ``Veterans Health
Administration, Medical Community Care'' account in this or any other
Act for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 may be used for expenses that would
otherwise be payable from the Veterans Choice Fund established by
section 802 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act, as
amended (38 U.S.C. 1701 note).
Sec. 249. Obligations and expenditures applicable to the ``Medical
Services'' account in fiscal years 2017 through 2019 for aid to state
homes (as authorized by section 1741 of title 38, United States Code)
shall remain in the ``Medical Community Care'' account for such fiscal
years.
Sec. 250. Of the amounts made available for the Department of
Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2024, in this or any other Act, under
the ``Veterans Health Administration--Medical Services'', ``Veterans
Health Administration--Medical Community Care'', ``Veterans Health
Administration--Medical Support and Compliance'', and ``Veterans Health
Administration--Medical Facilities'' accounts, $1,323,444,000 shall be
made available for gender-specific care and programmatic efforts to
deliver care for women veterans.
Sec. 251. Notwithstanding any other law, unless prevented by an
order issued by a federal or state court, by no later than September
30, 2026, the Secretary shall commence construction of the Community
Based Outpatient Clinic in Bakersfield, California authorized in
section 1(a)(3) of Public Law 111-82 and in accordance with Lease
No.36C10F20L0008 or successor lease.
Sec. 252. Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal
quarter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a quarterly
report on the status of the ``Veterans Medical Care and Health Fund'',
established to execute section 8002 of the American Rescue Plan Act of
2021 (Public Law 117-2): Provided, That, at a minimum, the report
shall include an update on obligations by program, project or activity
and a plan for expending the remaining funds.
Sec. 253. Any amounts transferred to the Secretary and
administered by a corporation referred to in section 7364(b) of title
38, United States Code, between October 1, 2018 and September 30, 2019
for purposes of carrying out an order placed with the Department of
Veterans Affairs pursuant to section 1535 of title 31, United States
Code, that are available for obligation pursuant to section 7364(b)(1)
of title 38, United States Code, are to remain available for the
liquidation of valid obligations incurred by such corporation during
the period of performance of such order, provided that the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs determines that such amounts need to remain available
for such liquidation.
Sec. 254. Unobligated balances available under the headings
``Construction, Major Projects'' and ``Construction, Minor Projects''
may be obligated by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for a facility
pursuant to section 2(e)(1) of the Communities Helping Invest through
Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016 (Public Law
114-294; 38 U.S.C. 8103 note), as amended, to provide additional funds
or to fund an escalation clause under such section of such Act:
Provided, That before such unobligated balances are obligated pursuant
to this section, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from
the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the
authority to obligate such unobligated balances and such Committees
issue an approval, or absent a response, a period of 30 days has
elapsed: Provided further, That the request to obligate such
unobligated balances must provide Congress notice that the entity
described in section 2(a)(2) of Public Law 114-294, as amended, has
exhausted available cost containment approaches as set forth in the
agreement under section 2(c) of such Public Law.
Sec. 255. (a) None of the funds made available in this Act may be
used to implement, administer, or otherwise carry out the Department of
Veterans Affairs interim final rule published on September 9, 2022, or
any successor to such rule, or to propose, promulgate, or implement any
substantially similar rule or policy.
(b) None of the funds appropriated in this Act shall be expended
for any abortion, including through a medical benefits package or
health benefits program that includes coverage of abortion.
(c) The limitations established in subsection (b) shall not apply
to an abortion--
(1) if the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or
incest; or
(2) in the case where a woman suffers from a physical
disorder, physical injury, or physical illness, including a
life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from
the pregnancy itself, that would, as certified by a physician,
place the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is
performed.
Sec. 256. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used
for surgical procedures or hormone therapies for the purposes of gender
affirming care.
Sec. 257. During the period beginning on October 1, 2025 and
ending on September 30, 2026, none of the funds made available by this
Act may be used to administer, implement, or enforce the final rule
issued by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs relating to ``Change in
Rates VA Pays for Special Modes of Transportation'' (88 Fed. Reg.
10032) and published on February 16, 2023.
Sec. 258. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used
to carry out VHA Directive 1193.01, ``Coronavirus Disease 2019
Vaccination Program for Veterans Health Administration Health Care
Personnel''.
Sec. 259. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used
to provide any services to any individual unlawfully present in the
United States who is not eligible for health care under the laws
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 260. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used
by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section 5502 of title 38,
United States Code, in any case arising out of the administration by
the Secretary of laws and benefits under such title, to report a person
who is deemed mentally incapacitated, mentally incompetent, or to be
experiencing an extended loss of consciousness as a person who has been
adjudicated as a mental defective under subjection (d)(4) or (g)(4) of
section 922 of title 18, United States Code, without the order or
finding a judge, magistrate, or other judicial authority of competent
jurisdiction that such person is a danger to himself or herself or
others.
Sec. 261. Of the unobligated balances from amounts made available
under the heading ``Veterans Health Administration'' from prior
appropriations Acts, including any funds transferred from the Medical
Care Collections Fund to accounts under such heading, $15,889,000,000
is hereby permanently rescinded: Provided, That no amounts may be
rescinded from amounts that were provided under the heading ``Medical
and Prosthetic Research'' or amounts that were designated by the
Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to a concurrent
resolution on the budget or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985: Provided further; That the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House
of Representatives and the Senate a plan for rescinding amounts
pursuant to this section not later than 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
TITLE III
RELATED AGENCIES
American Battle Monuments Commission
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, of the American
Battle Monuments Commission, including the acquisition of land or
interest in land in foreign countries; purchases and repair of uniforms
for caretakers of national cemeteries and monuments outside of the
United States and its territories and possessions; rent of office and
garage space in foreign countries; purchase (one-for-one replacement
basis only) and hire of passenger motor vehicles; not to exceed $15,000
for official reception and representation expenses; and insurance of
official motor vehicles in foreign countries, when required by law of
such countries, $106,000,000, to remain available until expended.
foreign currency fluctuations account
For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, of the American
Battle Monuments Commission, such sums as may be necessary, to remain
available until expended, for purposes authorized by section 2109 of
title 36, United States Code.
United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses for the operation of the United States Court
of Appeals for Veterans Claims as authorized by sections 7251 through
7298 of title 38, United States Code, $49,000,000: Provided, That
$3,800,000 shall be available for the purpose of providing financial
assistance as described and in accordance with the process and
reporting procedures set forth under this heading in Public Law 102-
229.
Department of Defense--Civil
Cemeterial Expenses, Army
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses for maintenance, operation, and improvement
of Arlington National Cemetery and Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National
Cemetery, including the purchase or lease of passenger motor vehicles
for replacement on a one-for-one basis only, and not to exceed $2,000
for official reception and representation expenses, $115,000,000, of
which not to exceed $15,000,000 shall remain available until September
30, 2028. In addition, such sums as may be necessary for parking
maintenance, repairs and replacement, to be derived from the ``Lease of
Department of Defense Real Property for Defense Agencies'' account.
Armed Forces Retirement Home
trust fund
For expenses necessary for the Armed Forces Retirement Home to
operate and maintain the Armed Forces Retirement Home--Washington,
District of Columbia, and the Armed Forces Retirement Home--Gulfport,
Mississippi, to be paid from funds available in the Armed Forces
Retirement Home Trust Fund, $70,520,000, to remain available until
September 30, 2027, of which $1,000,000 shall remain available until
expended for construction and renovation of the physical plants at the
Armed Forces Retirement Home--Washington, District of Columbia, and the
Armed Forces Retirement Home--Gulfport, Mississippi: Provided, That of
the amounts made available under this heading from funds available in
the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund, $25,000,000 shall be paid
from the general fund of the Treasury to the Trust Fund.
Administrative Provision
Sec. 301. Amounts deposited into the special account established
under 10 U.S.C. 7727 are appropriated and shall be available until
expended to support activities at the Army National Military
Cemeteries.
TITLE IV
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 401. No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall
remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless
expressly so provided herein.
Sec. 402. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used
for any program, project, or activity, when it is made known to the
Federal entity or official to which the funds are made available that
the program, project, or activity is not in compliance with any Federal
law relating to risk assessment, the protection of private property
rights, or unfunded mandates.
Sec. 403. All departments and agencies funded under this Act are
encouraged, within the limits of the existing statutory authorities and
funding, to expand their use of ``E-Commerce'' technologies and
procedures in the conduct of their business practices and public
service activities.
Sec. 404. Unless stated otherwise, all reports and notifications
required by this Act shall be submitted to the Subcommittee on Military
Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the
Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related
Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
Sec. 405. None of the funds made available in this Act may be
transferred to any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United
States Government except pursuant to a transfer made by, or transfer
authority provided in, this or any other appropriations Act.
Sec. 406. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used
for a project or program named for an individual serving as a Member,
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner of the United States House of
Representatives.
Sec. 407. (a) Any agency receiving funds made available in this
Act, shall, subject to subsections (b) and (c), post on the public Web
site of that agency any report required to be submitted by the Congress
in this or any other Act, upon the determination by the head of the
agency that it shall serve the national interest.
(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply to a report if--
(1) the public posting of the report compromises national
security; or
(2) the report contains confidential or proprietary
information.
(c) The head of the agency posting such report shall do so only
after such report has been made available to the requesting Committee
or Committees of Congress for no less than 30days.
Sec. 408. (a) None of the funds made available in this Act may be
used to maintain or establish a computer network unless such network
blocks the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of pornography.
(b) Nothing in subsection (a) shall limit the use of funds
necessary for any Federal, State, tribal, or local law enforcement
agency or any other entity carrying out criminal investigations,
prosecution, or adjudication activities.
Sec. 409. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used
by an agency of the executive branch to pay for first-class travel by
an employee of the agency in contravention of sections 301-10.122
through 301-10.124 of title 41, Code of Federal Regulations.
Sec. 410. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used
to execute a contract for goods or services, including construction
services, where the contractor has not complied with Executive Order
No. 12989.
Sec. 411. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used
in contravention of section 101(e)(8) of title 10, United States Code.
Sec. 412. (a) In General.--None of the funds appropriated or
otherwise made available to the Department of Defense in this Act may
be used to construct, renovate, or expand any facility in the United
States, its territories, or possessions to house any individual
detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for the
purposes of detention or imprisonment in the custody or under the
control of the Department of Defense.
(b) The prohibition in subsection (a) shall not apply to any
modification of facilities at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo
Bay, Cuba.
(c) An individual described in this subsection is any individual
who, as of June 24, 2009, is located at United States Naval Station,
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and who--
(1) is not a citizen of the United States or a member of
the Armed Forces of the United States; and
(2) is--
(A) in the custody or under the effective control
of the Department of Defense; or
(B) otherwise under detention at United States
Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Sec. 413. None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be used
in any way, directly or indirectly, to influence congressional action
on any legislation or appropriation matter pending before Congress,
other than to communicate to Members of Congress as described in 18
U.S.C. 1913.
Sec. 414. For an additional amount for the ``Office of the
Secretary'', $1,500,000, to remain available until expended, for the
Secretary to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on the
prevalence and mortality of cancers among individuals who served as
active-duty aircrew in the Armed Forces: Provided, That the panel or
panels established by the National Academies Sciences, Engineering, and
Medicine to conduct the study shall identify exposures associated with
military occupations of covered individuals, including relating to
chemicals, compounds, agents, and other phenomena: Provided further,
the study shall review the literature to determine associations between
exposures and the incidence of overall cancer morbidity, cancer
mortality and increased prevalence of brain cancer, colon and rectal
cancers, kidney cancer, lung cancer, melanoma skin cancer, non-Hodgkin
lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, testicular cancer,
thyroid cancer, urinary bladder cancer and any other cancers determined
appropriate by the Department of Veterans Affairs: Provided further,
That not later than eighteen months after the date of enactment of this
Act, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
shall submit its report to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the
Congress of its systematic review and data analysis of the research
topics.
Sec. 415. There is hereby appropriated $1,500,000, to remain
available until expended, for a pilot program for the Secretary to
partner with a private laboratory to utilize Forensic Genetic Genealogy
sequencing technology to identify the remains of fallen soldiers buried
at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Sec. 416. (a) None of the funds appropriated by this Act or
otherwise made available for fiscal year 2026 for the Department of
Veterans Affairs may be obligated, awarded, or expended to procure or
purchase covered information technology equipment in cases where the
manufacturer, bidder, or offeror, or any subsidiary or parent entity of
the manufacturer, bidder, or offeror, of the equipment is an entity or
parent company of an entity listed on any of the following:
(1) The Chinese Military Company List of the Department of
Defense.
(2) The Non-SDN Chinese Military Industrial Complex
Companies List of the Department of the Treasury.
(3) The Denied Persons List, Entity List, or Military End
User List of the Department of Commerce, if the entity is--
(A) an agency or instrumentality of the People's
Republic of China;
(B) an entity headquartered in the People's
Republic of China; or
(C) directly or indirectly owned or controlled by
an agency, instrumentality, or entity described in
subparagraph (A) or (B).
(4) The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List of
the Department of Homeland Security.
(b) The prohibition under subsection (a) shall apply to a case in
which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has entered into a contract
with a non-Department entity for the procurement or purchase of, or the
expenditure of funds on, covered information technology equipment.
(c) In this section, the term ``covered information technology
equipment''--
(1) means a computer, printer, or interoperable
videoconferencing equipment for direct use by employees of the
Department of Veterans Affairs in an office environment; and
(2) does not include services that use such equipment,
including cloud services.
Sec. 417. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available in this Act may be used to--
(1) Classify or facilitate the classification of any
communications by a United States person as a mis-, dis-, or
mal-information; or
(2) Partner with or fund nonprofit or other private
organizations that in any way instruct, influence, direct, or
recommend that private companies in any way censor, prohibit,
or obstruct lawful and constitutionally protected speech of
United States persons, including recommending the censoring or
removal of content on social media platforms.
Sec. 418. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the
policies and requirements described in the transmittal sheet of the
Veterans Health Administration published on August 8, 2019, titled
``Smoke-Free Policy for Employees at VA Health Care Facilities (VHA
Directive 1085.01)'' remain in effect.
Sec. 419. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used
to reduce the staffing, hours of operation, or services of the Veterans
Crisis Line or any other suicide prevention program of the Department
of Veterans Affairs.
spending reduction account
Sec. 420. $0.
This Act may be cited as the ``Military Construction, Veterans
Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026''.
Union Calendar No. 128
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3944
[Report No. 119-161]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of
Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
June 12, 2025
Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union
and ordered to be printed
Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S4588; text: CR S4588-4598)
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S5189-5200)
The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate under the order of 8/1/2025, having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 87 - 9. Record Vote Number: 480.
Roll Call #480 (Senate)Passed Senate under the order of 8/1/2025, having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 87 - 9. Record Vote Number: 480.
Roll Call #480 (Senate)Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Mr. Cole moved to take from the Speaker's table the bill H.R. 3944, with the Senate amendment thereto, disagree to the Senate amendment and request a conference.
Mr. Cole moved that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference.
The previous question was ordered without objection.
Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference Agreed to by voice vote.
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On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference Agreed to by voice vote.
Ms. DeLauro moved that the House instruct conferees.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the DeLauro motion to instruct conferees.
The previous question was ordered without objection.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the DeLauro motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3944, the Chair put the question on motion to instruct conferees and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. DeLauro demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House instruct conferees Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 211 - 213 (Roll no. 263). (consideration: CR H4249-4250: 2)
Roll Call #263 (House)On motion that the House instruct conferees Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 211 - 213 (Roll no. 263). (consideration: CR H4249)
Roll Call #263 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
The Speaker appointed conferees: Cole, Aderholt, Carter of Texas, Harris of Maryland, Valadao, Newhouse, Moolenaar, Rutherford, Cline, Hinson, Letlow, Guest, Zinke, Bice, Scott Franklin of Florida, LaLota, Strong, Maloy, Moore of West Virginia, DeLauro, Hoyer, Kaptur, Bishop, Wasserman Schultz, Cuellar, Pingree, Quigley, Espaillat, Underwood, Levin, Escobar, and Perez.
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House requests a conference.